Wake County will expand H1N1 vaccine clinics scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2009, through Friday, December 11, 2009, to anyone over 6 months of age. Santa will receive his H1N1 vaccine at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2009, at the Sunnybrook Public Health Building, 10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh.

The clinics in Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest and Zebulon will operate daily as long as the County has a sufficient supply of vaccine. Clinics are scheduled for the following days and times:

Tuesday, December 8, 2009 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 10, 2009 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, December 11, 2009 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“For the last two months we have focused on providing the H1N1 vaccine to people in priority groups, understanding the importance of first taking care of those at highest risk of developing complications if they become sick with H1N1 flu,” said Wake County Community Health Director Sue Lynn Ledford.

“Looking at our current data, including the most recent information from private medical care providers, it is time to move forward and begin vaccinating all people in Wake County,” said Ledford. The daily schedule will allow people to come to the clinics whenever it is most convenient for them. If, for any reason, we do not have the necessary supply of vaccine 24 hours before a clinic is scheduled to open, we will have to cancel clinics for that day and notify the public.”

Each clinic will offer the nasal spray vaccine to healthy people ages 2 to 49. The injectable form of the H1N1 vaccine will only be available to individuals that cannot receive the nasal spray vaccine:

Pregnant women

Children ages 6 month to 2 years

Anyone ages 2 and up with chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system

“We strongly encourage people to first look to their private care providers and pharmacies to receive this vaccine. Over 119,800 doses have been distributed primarily to pediatricians, obstetricians and chain pharmacies in our community,” said Ledford.

Specific locations for H1N1 vaccination clinics include:

Raleigh

Public Health Center – G35

10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh

Fuquay-Varina

Southern Regional Center

130 N. Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina

Wake Forest

Northern Regional Center

350 East Holding Ave., Wake Forest

Zebulon

Eastern Regional Center

1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon

More information about H1N1 flu and seasonal flu can be found by visiting www.wakegov.com/flu or by calling 212-7000.